California Organized Investment Network (COIN) Is a Collaborative Effort Between the California Department of Insurance, the Insurance Industry, Community Affordable Housing and Economic Development Organizations, and Community Advocates.

The Investigation Division investigates suspected fraud committed by insurance agents, brokers, public adjusters, bail agents, insurance companies and other individuals and entities transacting the business of insurance who perpetrate fraud against consumers.

Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones today announced $23 million in grants to California District Attorneys that will aid them in the battle against automobile insurance fraud. Grant funds totaling $15.2 million were distributed to 35 counties for the regular auto insurance fraud grant program and $7.6 million were distributed to 10 counties for their Organized Auto Fraud program. These funds will assist the District Attorneys with the investigation and prosecution of automobile insurance fraud.

"With the rise of insurance related fraud in California, local District Attorneys often have fewer resources at their disposal to fight fraud," said Commissioner Dave Jones. "These funds will assist District Attorney's across the state in the on-going fight to combat these types of fraud perpetrated against consumers."

The Commissioner distributes the grant funds to District Attorneys who participate in insurance fraud investigation and prosecution efforts. The grant funds that are distributed come from statutory authority granted to the Commissioner which allows the collection of assessments from insurance companies based on the number of vehicles they insure.

"These funds will allow local District Attorneys to attack this problem at the core," said Commissioner Jones. "Automobile insurance fraud drives up premiums for California Consumers and every effort is being made to combat it."

The breakdown to individual counties is as follows:

Regular Auto Insurance Fraud Program

FY 11/12 Grant Awards

County

Amount

Alameda

$872,426

Amador

$80,000

Butte

$115,000

Contra Costa

$417,457

El Dorado

$298,957

Fresno

$365,468

Humboldt

$43,307

Imperial

$45,122

Kern

$324,556

Kings

$121,636

Los Angeles

$4,306,309

Marin

$94,171

Mendocino

$27,646

Merced

$85,513

Monterey

$352,666

Napa

$34,974

Orange

$1,402,843

Riverside

$580,000

Sacramento

$532,567

San Bernardino

$637,495

San Diego

$1,500,000

San Francisco

$250,000

San Joaquin

$329,185

San Luis Obispo

$64,128

San Mateo

$278,605

Santa Clara

$785,000

Santa Cruz

$90,771

Shasta

$63,312

Solano

$113,738

Sonoma

$106,691

Stanislaus

$191,079

Tehama

$50,000

Tulare

$200,000

Ventura

$345,955

Yolo

$152,423

Total

$15,259,000

Organized Auto Fraud Interdiction Program

FY 11/12 Grant Awards

County

Amount

Alameda

$695,675

Fresno

$366,640

Los Angeles

$2,741,147

Orange

$428,340

Riverside

$417,318

Sacramento

$369,930

San Bernardino

$225,218

San Diego

$1,196,166

San Francisco

$246,290

Santa Clara

$956,693

Total

$7,643,417

The California Department of Insurance, established in 1868, is the largest consumer protection agency in California. Insurers collect $288 billion in premiums annually in California. In 2015 the California Department of Insurance received more than 155,000 calls from consumers and helped recover over $84 million in claims and premiums. Please visit the Department of Insurance web site at www.insurance.ca.gov. Non-media inquiries should be directed to the Consumer Hotline at 800.927.HELP or 213.897.8921. Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf (TDD), please dial 800.482.4833.